noun

1. 1. a preparation made of resinous substances dissolved in oil (oil varnish) or in alcohol, turpentine, etc. (spirit varnish), used to give a hard, glossy surface to wood, metal, etc.
   2. any of various natural or prepared products used for the same purpose
2. the hard, glossy surface produced
3. a surface gloss or smoothness, as of manner

Etymology: ME vernisch < OFr verniz < ML veronix, veronice, a resin < Gr Berenikē (now Benghazi), ancient city in Cyrenaica

transitive verb

1. to cover with varnish; brush varnish on
2. to impart a smooth surface or appearance to, as with varnish
3. to make superficially attractive or acceptable, as by embellishing
4. to polish up; adorn